Tag: yachting

Launching Asteria Advisory

Asteria Advisory is pleased to announce its official launch as a boutique legal practice. Areas of specialisation include marine and aviation law, as well as tailored commercial legal services. With a commitment to Building Bridges, Asteria Advisory connects clients with the legal solutions, industry professionals, and opportunities necessary for success.

Asteria Advisory was formerly operated as a corporate services provider under the name of Asteria Management Limited, which is no longer in existence.

The firm is managed by Dr Geraldine Spiteri, founder, who is also a Malta-warranted advocate of 20 years’ standing.

Legal Solutions That Move Your Business Forward

With a strong focus on the maritime and aviation law sectors, Asteria Advisory provides expert legal guidance in ship, yacht and aircraft registration, asset management, regulatory compliance, and business setup. Whether working with shipowners, operators, investors, or aviation professionals, or helping the yacht or jet owner to manage the needs of these highly specialised assets, we ensure a seamless and efficient approach to navigating complex legal and regulatory frameworks.

We also provide general legal, advisory and consultancy services to businesses.

📅 Official launch: March 28, 2025—a strategic date chosen to mark a new chapter of growth and opportunity.

On this day Dr Geraldine Spiteri will also attend and moderate the Mediterranean Business Aviation conference in Malta.

Clients and industry professionals are invited to connect and explore how Asteria Advisory can provide expert guidance in the marine and aviation sectors.

🔹 For inquiries: Speak to Dr Geraldine Spiteri – gs@asteria.mt – or use our Contact form.

🔹 For Updates: We will continue to update our news feed with posts of interest.

Asteria Logo
A – Asteria;s Logo


Sanctioned Russian Oligarch wins right to use yacht on the French Riviera

A sanctioned Russian oligarch has won the right to use his yacht on the French Riviera. Rather, he has successfully challenged French customs due to a number of errors made in the procedure when they boarded the yacht.

Originally published in 2022, this article discusses the legal complexities around asset control and EU sanctions. As of 2025, such cases remain highly relevant in the evolving landscape of international law and yacht management.

The EU sanctions apply across EU member states. French customs authorities are reported to have failed to follow the correct procedures. The court ordered the release of the yacht.

Read the article here.

A superyacht lies at anchor. Image taken from stock - (C) Shutterstock
A superyacht – image from stock.

Legal professionals from different parts of the world have argued that individuals facing such sanctions should succeed in these challenges. Assets are being seized without due process of law. Further, these seizures are taking effect without following any proper court process.

Clearly, there could be a deprivation of the right to one’s own property, without the proper court case to establish whether anyone has committed a crime.

These actions, merely on the basis that an individual has links to (in this case) the Russian government, appear to constitute a right about turn from the fundamental human right to property. This is arguable. The use of wealth to continue to back up the atrocities of war remains worrying. Sanctions of this type might be the only way to stop this practice.

Asteria Advisory’s services include ship & yacht registration, and management & representatation for yachts. We also provide legal support on a more general basis.

Best in Yachting Awards 2018

The Malta Business Review recently nominated our Geraldine Spiteri to sit on a panel of judges during the Malta Best In Business Awards 2018. The event took place at Castello Dei Baroni in Wardija, Malta. Among the wide range of awards given, the nominations included a number of Best in Yachting Awards.

Besides Geraldine, the adjudication panel was composed of other reputable members of the business community.  The Awards formed  part of the Malta Best in Business Awards, an annual event hosted by Malta Business Review.

Participants hailed from a wide variety of service providers in the industry – lawyers, ship operators and agents, shipping companies and businesses. Indeed, there was a wide range of Maltese enterprises that have achieved high standards of excellence during the year. Some of the entities participating have a long-standing business history.

At this year’s event, the pool of nominees was highly varied and interesting. The participants had a few very close wins and there was some tough competition. Needless to say, the judges all expressed difficulties in choosing the winners because of the high degree of achievement displayed.

Closing the ceremony, the hosts wished everyone a prosperous year. Naturally, everyone is excited for the Best in Yachting Awards 2019.